Captain John Paul Jones gives his name to this gin, which recalls the naval battle he fought near the Copeland Islands in 1778. The distillery takes its own name from the Copeland Islands, which lie off its home town of Donaghadee in County Down, and its ship USS Ranger captured HMS Drake in those waters in April 1778. For Jones 1778, the distillery first makes its Irish gin, then matures it for 120 days in Kentucky bourbon casks and a further 20 days in Oloroso sherry casks, before bottling it at navy strength, 57% ABV.

Woody · Spicy · Navy Strength · Vanilla

The two casks play different roles. The bourbon wood brings caramel and a soft vanilla sweetness, while the short finish in Oloroso adds warm spice and a darker, rounded note. The wood also gives the spirit its natural amber colour. Copeland sums up the result as a punch of juniper followed by smooth caramel and spice, and the gin has been named a Master at The Gin Masters in 2021 and won gold at the IWSC in 2020.

In the glass, juniper comes first and stays firm, the strength carrying it through the cask notes. Caramel and vanilla follow, then dried fruit and baking spice from the sherry wood on a long, warming finish. At 57% ABV it is worth tasting slowly, neat or over a large ice cube, and letting the dilution soften the alcohol and open the spice.

The distillery also uses it in a Jones Martinez, with sweet vermouth, maraschino liqueur and orange bitters, a classic that suits its caramel and spice. For a long drink, a measured pour with Indian tonic and a crisp slice of apple keeps the drink fresh while the wood notes remain clear. Pour the tonic gradually, since the strength stands up to plenty of dilution, and the cask notes linger long after the first sip.